The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-07-28
A LETTER FROM GLASGOW.
PHILIPS CoCKBURN HOTEL,
GLASGOW, July 18th, 1887.

I
GLASGOW, July 18th, 1887.
1 had my letter all ready to give the
purser to mail at Monville, Ireland, where
passengers are put on to tug for Derry
IL miles up the river, but being told the
letter would go just as soon to send from
Glasgow, mail here, and hence can
speak somewhat of the grand sail up the
Firth and classic Clyde. | was fortunate
in having at hand Scotch friends who
could point out the islands, the shores
and shires, the dukedoms, rivers running
in, the glens, towns, etc., etc.
After leaving Ireland for Glasgow, 14O
miles distant, we had grand view OF
the Giants Causeway, and passed the
island Of Rathlin, after which we 90
through the North channel, pass the
Null of Kintyre, the southern point Of
that peninsula, and enter the Firth oi
Clyde, passing couple of islands to the
left, and sighting away to the right the
Ayrshire coast. The rock island of Ali
sa Craig is prominent on the right.
Burns, in his humorous song of Duncan
Gray, says, Meg was deaf as Ailsa
Craig"
The passenger soon sights Arran, the
largest island in the Firth, containing
several thousand acres and belonging to
the wolt Iless Duke of Hamilton, being
entailed in that family. The rocky
small Holy Island protects Lamlosh Bay
in Arran and makes it safe place for
stormstead ships. Passing the south
point of the Island of Butte and the two
CImbrae Islands, big and little, the Firth
narr pws and we soon get round to Green.
ock where the Clyde proper commences,
but large ships like the Furnessia re-
quire flood tide to ascend to Glasgow
Passing railway trains were among the
good sights seen. ---.
Two miles or 80 above Greenock, on
the same side, is Port Glasgow, founded
by the magistrates of Glasgow as a har-
bor for shipping in 1868. 1t is the chief
port for imported timber. Opposite is
Cardrass, the sight of Cardrass c stle,
where died Robert the Bruce in 1929. It
was the great Kings favorite residence.
Two miles above, the river Levan joins
the Clyde, and nine miles up the Levan
is Loch Lomond. In the Clyde here is
situated Dumbarton castle, celebrated
in Scottish history. II rises to the height
of 240 feet and is about a mile round.
The manufacturing village of Alexan-
dria is here on the Levan and Clyde,
The dwellings seem to be all stone and
frequently are seen palatial residences
with fine surroundings. For miles be-
low Glasgow are the great shipyards in
which are built the great and fast steam
ships. While many are being built, the
trade is not what it has been. as may be
seen by the vacant stocks. The Singer
sewing machine works are extensive and
magnificent.
Reaching the wharf about p. m.,
Tuesday, all was hustle to get of, get
baggage passed by the customs officers
and get to hotel. This with most of
us took nearly two hours. Watching
for my trunk over an hour, seeing hun
dreds of trunks, boxes, chests, Sc,
streamed out and wheeled away to be
inspected. Soon getting the customs
chalk mark it was not long until wheeled
rapidly in the cab to the Cockburn
pronounced Coburn) hotel, a very fine
place to be after eleven days on board of
ship.
l must close to get this off by first OPP
portunity. In the DEMOCRAT this will
show the reading friends that after near
sixty years II am on my native heath"
but am sure shall be glad to get safe
ly back to our fair Ohio, worthy part of
the great republic" A. MEG.